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49ers’ best and worst picks from the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 01: Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears makes a touchdown pass reception against Brandon Richmond #2 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats at McLane Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 01: Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears makes a touchdown pass reception against Brandon Richmond #2 of the Abilene Christian Wildcats at McLane Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

49ers’ Pick with the Biggest “Bust” Potential: Jalen Hurd

San Francisco doubled down on its wide receiver needs in Round 3, adding Jalen Hurd to the mix, which at least gives Kyle Shanahan a unique weapon if the former Tennessee and Baylor product winds up developing adequately enough.

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The 6-foot-5 mismatch player left Tennessee for Baylor to avoid the rigors of being a running back, spending a full year with the Bears learning the intricacies of being a wide receiver. Essentially, he has only one season’s experience at the position from the college ranks.

This means Hurd lacks polish and will likely take some time to learn the complex nature of Shanahan’s offensive system.

Hurd’s size does, however, make him a unique red-zone option — something San Francisco needs, especially after Shanahan’s offense finished dead last in red-zone touchdown efficiency in 2018.

This thread on Hurd, from Fourth and Nine’s Eric Crocker, should give skeptics a lot of hope on the pass catcher’s potential within the pro ranks. So should the idea Shanahan plans on using Hurd as an H-back in his offense, which is a unique tool few teams are able to boast with any sort of regular efficiency.

That said, Hurd will have a long way to go before solidifying himself as a bona fide impact player.

Next. 49ers' 2019 NFL Draft tracker with grades & analysis. dark

And it might not work out in the long run anyway.